Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

How to Apply

Award Procedure:
Priority will be given to applicants who are prior recipients. The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee will review, rank, and approve or disapprove applications submitted for program participation. Criteria which determine competitive ranking for awards may include: (1) career goal in biomedical/biobehavioral research; (2) academic performance; and (3) letters of recommendation. A student's financial need alone does not affect selection. Applicants approved for award will be notified by the Program Director. The Secretary, and his/her designee will sign the service contract of approved applicants, provide a copy to the participant and under graduate institution notice of approved award amount. Scholarship payments, including room and board, books, fees and transportation are made to the college or university for dispersal.

Preapplication Coordination:
Students must be given a fair summary of the rights and liabilities of applicants prior to application. This summary is included in the application packet. Applications are available directly from the program up to 20 weeks before the application deadline. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Applicants should request an application package from the NIH's Intramural Loan Repayment Scholarship Programs, 2 Center Drive, Room 2E24, Bethesda, MD 20892-0230. Telephone: (888)352-3001. Facsimile: (301) 480-3123.

Application Procedure:
Application, a signed contract, and other required information (as listed in the application packet) are submitted to the Program office. Once an application package is received by the administering Program Office, preliminary eligibility will be determined and highly qualified applicants will be interviewed. Final determination of awards will be made upon review by the Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Deadlines:
Contact the Headquarters Office listed below for application deadlines.

Range of Approval / Disapproval Time:
The approximate time for approval/disapproval is 3 months.

Appeals:
None.

Renewals:
Annual renewal applications are required to extend the award. Extensions of the scholarship award are subject to availability of funds, acceptable academic and laboratory performance.